Earn Your Views - Telluride Hiking

October 29, 2013

It's that time of year when the snow begins to fall and you can't quite ski, but you can't bike or hike up high - you want to do something. This is one of the great conundrums of "off-season" or "shoulder seasons" - that limbo between summer and winter. In Telluride, there are some amazing low-elevation hikes that will be mostly snow free and will give you amazing views. (I realize there are amazing views wherever you are in Telluride, but these are only available to those willing to put in the effort.) So grab an extra pair of socks, a walking stick/ski pole and some water - it's go time.

Bear Creek Trail to Bear Creek Falls(Easy/Moderate)

Distance: 2.5 Miles one way to the falls

Elevation Gain: 1050 ft

View Rating: Beautiful

Why?: This is one of Telluride's most popular trails as the access is right at the end of S. Pine street. It is a nice open trail that immediately offers a different perspective of town. Hike or bike this trail. Great exercise with a refreshing reward at the end.

Jud Wiebe Trail (Moderate/Difficult)

Distance: 3 Miles RT

Elevation Gain: 1140 ft

View Rating: Gorgeous

Why?: Travel through groves of Aspen trees, wide open meadows, and get a panoramic view of Telluride that you won't get anywhere else. Access is two different spots, top of N. Aspen street or top of N Oak Street up Tomboy Road and your first left.

Cornet Creek Falls (Easy/Moderate)

Distance: .25 miles

Elevation Gain: 200 Feet

View Rating: What do you think? It's a water fall in Telluride!

Why?: Taking the same beginning route as Jud Wiebe, this is a quick jaunt up to the 80 foot falls. It's a twofer - youve got a beautiful looking falls in front of you with a stunning view of Telluride behind you. The hardest part of this hike is deciding which way to look.

Overlook Trail (Easy)

Distance: .2 miles

Elevation Gain: 0

View Rating: Amazing (Notice a theme here?)

Why?: For those who have little time, or are just testing the waters with hiking, this is the perfect starting point. You get a bit of exercise with a big reward. From the top of the gondola get right on the Overlook trail and quickly get a view of the Telluride Valley Floor below.

Bike Path (Easy/Moderate)

Distance: 3 Miles one way

Elevation Gain: 100 feet

View Rating: Superb

Why?: Have a bike, good pair of shoes, a "Will" - where here's your "Way". Starting at the far end of town you can hop on this path all the way to Lawson Hill. The winner is the one who counts the most prairie dogs on the way. This path gives a different perspective on the area as you pass through the open meadows outside of town to the Aspen and Scrub Oak groves and finishing in a marshy area near Lawson. Expect to see abundant wildlife along this route.

This is a short list of hiking in Telluride - you can always stop someone on the street and nicely ask: "Where should I go for a hike?" Any local will be only too happy to tell you where to go, and more often than not will probably want to go with you. Enjoy, happy trails!